‘Eat Less’ is More: Urban Outfitters Makes Trendy Faux Pas

by Krista Ciminera

 

 

When it comes to hip, young fashion retailers, Urban Outfitters is like a rebellious teenager- lots of angst and ire but never quite hitting the mark. While other clothing companies might regale us with fantastically ugly, overpriced merchandise, UO really likes to “stir the pot” with slogan tees and kitschy apartment knick-knacks rife with sexual innuendo. Not too long ago, UO offered a shirt that listed “Obama/Black” as a color option, and these shirts were quickly pulled off the shelves. The most recent scandal is a women’s shirt with the words “Eat Less” emblazoned across the chest. It is followed with this product description:

“Eat less or more or however much you’d like in this seriously soft knit tee cut long and topped with a v-neck.”

Um, what? Much like the “Obama/Black” debacle from before, the message and meaning to this product is muddled. Is it promoting eating disorders? Is it a comment on obesity in America? The only clear attribute that stands out is that it is only offered as a woman’s shirt and not intended for men. To me, this indicates that the makers of this shirt were aware of the negative and implied message that this shirt would have carried if worn by men. And given the context that UO is a company geared towards younger, and therefore more impressionable, women, and that their clothing campaigns haven’t attempted to use plus-sized models in their advertising, I don’t think this shirt bodes too well for anyone.

And don’t worry, guys! You can show your girlfriend who gets to make the weird, convoluted statements in the relationship with your own ironic tee from UO:

You may also like

Get the print magazine.

The best of BUST in your inbox!

Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter

About Us

Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

©2023 Street Media LLC.  All Right Reserved.